A strange trend has been observed in Lithuania: the number of infections that spread in winter has increased

According to the NVSC, rotavirus cases are recorded in Lithuania throughout the year, but the highest morbidity is usually recorded in the winter and spring seasons. However, a strange trend has been observed this year. An increase in incidence is currently being recorded in Vilnius County, as of July 1. 26 cases were recorded, when at that time it was a much longer period in 2021. 28 cases were recorded in January-April.

According to specialists from Vilnius, most of the cases were registered in different preschool educational institutions.

However, the global incidence of rotavirus has not increased all the time. Total 2021 from January 1 d. until July 31. In Lithuania, 158 cases of rotavirus infection were recorded. 230 cases of rotavirus infection were reported during the same period last year.

The disease begins acutely and quickly.

Rotavirus enteritis is an intestinal rotavirus infection with vomiting, fever, diarrhea, and general intoxication. The main source of rotavirus infection is a sick person. The pathogens are most frequently transmitted by rotavirus-infected children and asymptomatic adults. The first symptoms of the disease appear between 24 and 72 hours after infection.

The disease begins acutely, the main early symptom is vomiting, which lasts from 2 to 6 days. The spread of viruses through domestic contact is the main and most common. The NVSC Vilnius Department recommends paying attention to the main non-specific measures for the prevention of rotavirus infection: hand hygiene, regular cleaning and disinfection of environmental surfaces.

The main source of rotavirus infection is a sick person. The pathogens are most frequently transmitted by rotavirus-infected children and asymptomatic adults. Animals are not infected with RVI because the virus strains that circulate among them are not harmful to humans.

Rotavirus is spread through the mouth. The main mode of transmission of IVR is fecal-oral. Because viruses can remain viable in the environment for long periods of time, they can be spread through a variety of objects that children can put in their mouths.

Rotavirus infection can also be transmitted through food if it is caused by virus-contaminated hands. It is usually a food that is consumed without additional heat treatment, such as sandwiches, mixes.

In groups of children, children are more likely to infect each other, while adults tend to infect families with young children. People with an asymptomatic form of the disease pose an epidemiological risk if consistent hand hygiene is not ensured at home or on equipment. Because young children do not have personal hygiene skills, they can become infected and sick with RVI multiple times.

Rotavirus infection can certainly be transmitted through contaminated water, so it is very important to be careful when swimming in pools or bodies of water to prevent water from entering your mouth.

Home treatment is not recommended. Symptoms associated with acute intestinal infection may not necessarily indicate a rotavirus infection, so it is important to contact your family doctor immediately after experiencing the first symptoms, who can prescribe the most appropriate treatment not only after a diagnosis but also also according to the patient’s condition.

Untreated or poorly treated rotavirus, especially in young children, can lead to severe dehydration, which in some cases can be fatal.

The most reliable specific prevention of rotavirus infection is rotavirus vaccination. Non-specific prophylaxis can reduce the spread of rotavirus in teams of children and families through hand and other hygiene.

Your doctor will advise you on how to help yourself if you start to have diarrhea.

As in the program “Hello! With doctor V. Morozov”, said Valery Morozov, family doctor.

“If we can drink enough fluids and drink more than we lose through vomiting or diarrhea, everything will be fine with the fluid balance. If we manage to lower the temperature for a long time and we do not need to take medication every two hours, it is most likely that the organism recovers. It is also a good sign if the infection lasts a short time and you feel better, “said the doctor in the program.

If symptoms and discomfort persist, do not improve, the temperature does not drop, severe and persistent abdominal pain progresses, we cannot drink and lose a lot of fluids, if diarrhea or vomiting causes impurities in the blood, it is necessary to consult a doctor . A decision is then made on whether to take additional measures or continue symptomatic treatment.

However, when you start to have diarrhea, we may not wait for the doctor’s instructions and get help right away.

“We always have enough salts and electrolytes to have diarrhea. These are electrolyte solutions if the diarrhea is mild, the mineral is also suitable. Good bacteria are drug number 2, followed by salts and fluids. You can even drink several species at once.

When the intestine is inflamed, the intestine itself cannot do much of its job, it is sick, and it needs help. If our eyes hurt, we wake up closed, if our legs hurt, we go to bed. The intestine needs a diet at that time, that is, the best thing is to eat nothing and get only glucose. And if we are already eating something, it is by consuming digestive enzymes together. This treatment is usually given for a viral infection. If it is not enough, you need something more serious, you need to see doctors, “said V. Morozov.

However, if the disease is not particularly severe, do not average 15-20 times a day in abundance, tea, compote or juice may be enough. If the disease is more serious, we should look for stronger solutions. The doctor explained why.

“In case of a viral infection, the intestine generally becomes paralyzed and becomes like a toilet tank, it fills up to a certain level: it drops. When we consume too little salt, the body will absorb sodium, if potassium, it will absorb potassium. Diarrhea abundant will quickly begin to lack these substances and we will begin to feel cramps, dizziness, tingling in the eyes, etc. It occurs even faster in children and the elderly. Therefore, specific solutions really help in such situations, “said V. Morozov .

You can find the full program on viral and bacterial intestinal infections and what to do if they are detected HERE.